We are pleased that a South-North volunteer is once again working with us at the Bremen Mission office. Unfortunately, she joined us only in mid-September instead of at the end of May due to major difficulties with the visa process. Colette Boateng introduces herself here and shares her first impressions.

My name is Akou Colette Boateng, I am 26 years old, and I am a Togolese national. I live with my family in Lomé and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management. I love music, especially singing, and I am a member of a choir of the EEPT.

First Impressions in Germany
In Togo, there are two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. During the dry season, between November and March, the Harmattan blows — a dry and warm wind from the Sahara that carries dust and sand. It causes a decrease in rainfall, hot daytime temperatures, and reduced visibility, especially in the morning. This season can lead to health problems such as allergies and respiratory infections and increases the risk of bushfires. In addition, everything gets dirty easily due to the dust. Both the seasons and their intensity vary between the north and south of the country. The rainy season is good for agriculture. However, during that time, many roads become difficult to access, and floods occur. I like these two seasons, but I do not like dust or mud.
Germany has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. I arrived at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. It is beautiful with all its colors and the gentle freshness. I like it when the leaves on the trees change color. However, it rains too often in autumn in Bremen. It can start unexpectedly at any moment – I don’t like that. Another difference from Togo is that in Germany almost all streets are paved. There is no mud and less dust. It is wonderful to leave the house clean and come back clean.
Shortly after my arrival in Germany, I took part in a workshop organized by the association UTBE e.V., a Togolese organization in cooperation with the Bremen Mission. The exchange with other participating organizations was interesting, and I was happy to meet people who speak the same language as I do.
I noticed that in Germany there is a waste bin for every used item, which is not common in our country. I find this method interesting because it facilitates recycling and promotes environmentally friendly disposal of reusable items.
Bremen is great. The tram, a shared and fast means of transport that does not exist in my country, is fascinating. In Togo, people often travel by motorcycle to move quickly through the city: getting from point A to point B is not very comfortable, but it’s fast. You can also travel by taxi — it’s cheaper, but not fast — you often get stuck in traffic and cannot reach your destination directly. There are also buses for longer distances, as well as Uber and similar companies where you can order cars and moto-taxis via app.
In Bremen, I discovered a church-run social department store where used items are offered at very good and low prices and are of good quality. I also attended a screening of a documentary film titled Togoland. This film was about the German colonial period in Togo. I did not learn much new information, as this topic was already covered in history lessons during my school years. However, it was touching to see real images that matched the stories told.

Climate Conference
I also participated in the LCOY (Local Conference of Youth), a climate conference for young people in Lüneburg. It was wonderful to discover another city, experience new adventures, and gain valuable insights. During the seminar, I attended workshops that were truly intensive and joined discussions mainly focused on climate issues and how we can save our planet from a future catastrophe. I met students from the Faculty of Natural Sciences who had a very precise understanding of their field of study and environmental protection. That is very impressive and admirable. I was a bit lost because I only had limited knowledge about this subject. I only knew that the planet is being damaged because of our harmful actions and had some basic information about how to protect and save it. Furthermore, the workshops and discussions were spread across several university buildings, and there were multiple sessions taking place at the same time. I didn’t know what to choose or where to go, because I wanted to be everywhere at once. It was very interesting to take part in this conference. I met new people, learned a lot, and am grateful for the experience. I would have liked the conference to last a few more days so that I could have learned even more.
Living in Germany is nice, but the language is a barrier, and for someone who is not used to changing seasons and climate, it can be very difficult to live here. Although I am taking language courses, I am not yet accustomed to the language. I tell myself that this is just the beginning; it will come gradually, and through learning I will get used to it. As for the weather, sometimes it is pleasant, and sometimes it is not. I am here to learn, to discover new things, and to share about life in Togo. I hope that everything goes well and that the months I will spend here in Germany will be positive — both for my surroundings and for myself.